Officers outside the Kapenguria Police Station where a suspected al-Shabaab militant opened fire. Image: Twitter/@richybosire

The suspect, Omar Okwaki Eumod, who had been arrested a day earlier, grabbed a gun from one of the officers and opened fire.

The attack was thwarted after several officers from General Service Unit, quick reaction team and General duty surrounded the station.

Recce squad arrived soon after to end the hostage situation and rescue those caught in the stand-off.

The gunman at the center of the shooting has been killed, the actual number of casualties is still unknown. However, the Kapenguria police station boss Vitalis Ochido was reported to be among the dead.